Anti- Mugabe protesters released on bail

They were arrested during a public protest at the Africa Unity Square in central Harare on Thursday calling on President Robert Mugabe to step down.

The group of fifteen including a journalist and a brother of a missing political activist were released on bail.

According to their lawyer Obey Shava, five of them were charged with robbery and obstructing the course of justice and granted a $1,000 bail each, while the other 10 were charged with obstructing the course of justice and released on $ 500 bail each.

The political activist, Itai Dzamara was abducted in March last year, allegedly by military agents.

Opposition continues to mount against the 92 year old president, who has ruled the the country since independence in 1980.

Mugabe remains active but his increasingly fragile health continues to spark speculation over his successor, and the fate of the country when his rule comes to an end.

Recent years of economic decline have taken a toll on the nation that was once the bread basket of the southern Africa region.